With Multipaint, you can draw pictures with the color limitations of some typical 8-bit computer platforms. The screen formats supported are Commodore 64 high resolution, Commodore 64 multicolor, Commodore Plus/4 Hires, Commodore Plus/4 multicolor, ZX Spectrum, ZX ULAplus, MSX 1, Amstrad CPC mode 0/1, Sinclair QL and Atari ST low resolution.

Latest version

Multipaint 2019.10 fixes some bugs resulting from the new features. Machine selector now has tooltips. Palette commands have tooltips. Undo works better with palette commands. Pull-down menus highlight some of the newer features, such as SETTINGS and PALETTE.

Multipaint 2019.9 adds Amstrad CPC mode 1. Work started on inter-mode conversions, so you could start a picture on one mode and then change it to another without having to convert a png in between. Eventually, this might mean you could draw a C64 image without color constraints, and then switch on to the constrained mode at a later stage.

Multipaint 2019.8 adds a PALETTE tool, and Atari ST FX paintmodes (SHADE, BLEND etc.) All of this is 'beta' really. ULAplus automatic color adding can be locked, consequences have not been thought out fully.

Amstrad CPC Overscan 384 x 270 x 16

The original Multipaint interface was very fixed to the idea of having a 320 x 200 resolution at tops. This was also reflected in many, but fortunately not all, internal structural choices of the program.

But now it might be the time to expand these horizons a bit.

To cut a long explanation shorter, instead of resizing buffers I'm using the same room more efficiently to manage the 384 x 272 x 16 resolution.

Just as with all the Amstrad modes, the export template is taken from Marq's Pixel Polizei (thanks!), so you should be able to get the exported images up and running on a real Amstrad. I also followed the export code quite strictly.

The CPC overscan, I'm told, is not really a very standard graphics mode, so I'm now sort of opened the gate for software-enhanced modes(!)

My Parrot Drawing using Multipaint with the Amstrad low res mode 0. Music and Artwork by Colin Thomson